Seven of the Biggest Boston Terrier Myths to Avoid Believing

Boston Terriers are one of the most popular breeds in the US and were originally bred to be fighters and scrappers, though, over the years, they developed into being pleasant little pets that we know today. One of the several Terrier breeds, the Boston hails from the obvious city in the US and although there are plenty similarities to the other Terriers, the Boston breed does stand out on its own with its own characteristics, both physical and personality. They are often confused with another breed of dog, the French Bulldog, but there is one way to tell for sure which breed you are looking at. The ears will give it away: a French Bulldog’s ears are rounded, while the Boston Terrier sports pointed ears on top of its head. This isn’t the only thing that people mistake when it comes to the Boston Terrier. Here are seven of the biggest Boston Terrier myths to avoid.

1. They’re small, so they must be good couch potatoes

Yes, they are a small breed of dog, and yes, they do like to snuggle with their owner, but they also have a lot of energy. Boston Terriers love to play and have boundless energy. These dogs are the perfect breed for taking to the beach, park, anywhere you go, your Boston Terrier will love to go with you. They do not do as well when they are confined to a home for hours on end without attention and exercise.

2. Stubborn like other Terriers

Most Terrier breeds have a stubborn streak that can make them difficult to train or get to listen. This breed of the Terrier family is not that kind of stubborn. They will listen and train easy and well, so long as training starts early and the use of positive reinforcement is the method of training used. Due to their high intelligence, you will find that you have your Boston Terrier on the road to being a well-behaved dog in no-time.

3. Not good with children

Not all Terriers are good with children, that is true. Cairn Terriers are possessive and a bit of a bully at times. They tend to not be as patient with children and their antics of pulling their fur, their tails, ears and whiskers. They will react quickly and swiftly, which can be risky for children. Boston Terriers, on the other hand, are more patient and will actually play with children, so long as they are not on the very small side.

4. Excitable like other Terriers

On the contrary, Boston Terriers are known as the “American Gentleman” when it comes to their manners and good-natured personality. They are well-behaved and do not exemplify an excitable, unruly temperament like you often see with Cairns, Jack Russells and other Terriers. Experts have said that they believe it is the laid back Bulldog gene that is dominant, which gives them their gentlemanly manners.

5. Small, so not good guard dogs

Many people think that Boston Terriers would not make good protectors of the house due to their smaller stature. This isn’t true, however, because although they are not excessive barkers, they will alert you to a stranger approaching the house in a strange way by barking, barking, and barking. They will bark at just the right times, which makes them a pleasant sort of watch dog. Most times, you will not have to deal with a lot of unwanted noise coming from your pooch, and neither will your neighbors.

6. Don’t have a lot of health risks

Unfortunately Boston Terriers do have a list of health issues that will need to be monitored and stayed on top of to prevent issues from developing, as well as to catch things early, if they develop. Terriers are not a breed that has few risks, like many people tend to think. The list of medical issues they are susceptible to, include, cancer, eye conditions, corneal ulcer, skin irritations, stomach trouble, diarrhea, vomiting, allergies, neck pain or injury, ear infections.

7. Can be an indoor or an outdoor dog

Boston Terriers are definitely indoor dogs due to their susceptibility to overheat or get a chill, depending on the time of year and weather. Boston Terriers have short muzzles and noses which makes it more difficult for them to breathe and release inner heat. They need to be monitored closely in heat and cold temps to make sure they are not having one or the other extreme happen, and if they are, proper measures to cool them off or warm them up, should be taken as quickly as possible. They should never be left out in the yard for any length of time to prevent either situation from happening.

About The Author

Maria McCutchen

Maria McCutchen is an author and freelance writer living in Chattanooga, TN. She is the published author of her memoir, “It’s all in Your Head,” and a children’s book. She has been writing for over 15 years; writing articles, whitepapers, product write-ups and more for multiple online media sites, blogs, company websites and individuals. She is also an advocate for brain malformations, including Chiari Malformation, and works closely with the non-profit organization, The Chiari Project, writing for their quarterly newsletters.

PuppyToob.com is your daily resource for the latest dog rescue news, adoption stories, and tips for raising a healthy dog. It's also the most in depth resource for dog breed information. We have detailed profiles on the Bulldog, Cane Corso, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Pit Bull, Rottweiller, Tibetan Mastiff, Yorkie Poo, and other popular dog breeds.